Festival of Flowers - Park Seed Flower day

today in news July 7 2011

http://www.newser.com/story/122802/show-off-mistress-tips-chinese-to-red-cross-graft.html

Human nature gets people in trouble all the time. I guess the enjoyment of material things is not complete unless there is a way to show off one’s ill gotten gains. Reminds of a girl that was featured on MTV Sweet 16 program and that is how some people looking for father found him (he had embezzled a lot of money from them). For the complete story, google it. Yea yea. I know I am vague with details. The point is, you would think that people who are stealing, embezzling, or siphoning money would keep a lower profile so as not to draw attention to the fact that they are STEALING! But the impulse to brag is too great. It just goes to show that money cannot buy happiness.

 

http://www.newser.com/story/122810/guys-need-hugs-more.html

I knew guys needed more hugs, but hubby is not convinced. I guess we will have to try out our own experiments with me giving him more hugs daily. I know, in 10-15 years, he will thank me for my persistence.

 

http://www.newser.com/story/122812/tabloid-suspected-of-hacking-phones-linked-to-war-dead.html

Rupert Murdoch is most likely Darth Vader with the goal to take over the world with his empire of news organizations which sway public opinion. There is corruption in so many other areas, why am I not surprised about this. I am not saying that everyone who works is his organization is corrupt, but I think more often than not, their journalistic integrity is called into question and it becomes a choice if they want to keep their jobs. And in this economy, many will sell their souls to the devil if they think it will help them support their families or further their careers.

 

http://www.newser.com/story/122842/donald-trump-i-might-run-as-independent-in-2012-presidential-race.html

Trump needs to concentrate on his hair rather than trying to stay in the news with this presidential nonsense. He says it is real but it really looks like a bad toupee. All the money he has and he cannot afford a decent stylist. Why doesn’t he put his supposed financial talents to good use and help some non-profit organizations? Really work with them and not take the easy way out and just write a check. Donate time at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen.  

Poetry - Fatal Wounds

WORDS sharper than jagged shards of glass cut me deeply

you hurl insults and accusations as if filleting my jugular into symmetric ribbons

days later the ensuing “I’m sorry”s perform the function of an inadequate tourniquet

refuse to stop the bleeding, pints spill profusely out of me

bruises or black eyes would be a welcome injury

they would eventually fade and the pain forgotten

my destiny is unfathomable pain coursing through my veins

so fierce it blurs my vision

YOU – I entrusted my heart and soul

YOU – promised to never hurt me

Is this love or is the hate?

they say there is a thin line between love and hate

a line that is a double edged sword sharp tongue

decimating previous declarations of love

destroying the wall of security and serenity we built together

as I continue to bleed from the vicious verbal assault

the affection that burned with the intensity of the hottest flame

flickers away, cooling until all glowing coals are extinguished

YOU, my assailant,

attempt to assuage personal guilt for a senseless attack

an attack, born in anger and frustration of what it was and what you wanted to be

one might almost look upon you with pity

clumsily trying to rekindle cold embers with flowers and chocolate

as if to revive our failed affair

although struggling to resuscitate,

you forgot that without blood one cannot survive

thoughtless, but adept use of your sharpest weapon severed arteries and veins alike

blood poured out

all this is left is for the earth to absorb

AND the LOVE for you is DEAD

Brookstone lodge - Asheville

The Brookstone Lodge is a hotel in Asheville that is about five minutes from Biltmore House. If you want to go to Biltmore, you can buy tickets from the front desk.

The price per night averaged $100 which was fine considering the location. The room was nothing special. The décor appeared to be rustic style, but I could tell that the hotel had been recently built. I did have one complaint about our room- the door did not fit the door frame. When the door was closed, there was about a half an inch gap above the door. The door locked, but it was still a little unnerving to know there was not a tight seal around the door.

For the first night, we ordered the romance package- included champagne, 2 glasses, candles, matches and chocolates. All for $30. It was cute but in retrospect I should have brought my own “romance package”. In my head, I thought there would be more to the package but it was just as they described. The champagne was local sparkling wine from the Biltmore winery. The champagne flute glasses looked as if they were from Pier 1 or some equivalent store. The candles were two small tea lights in little candle holders. The chocolates were a small package of wrapped chocolates, no special name brand.

They offered a free deluxe continental breakfast from 7 – 10 on weekends. To me, it left something to be desired. The scrambled eggs needed seasoning. The only breakfast meat they offered was sausage (I like bacon). They had strawberry yogurt, fruit, grits, biscuits, Danishes and bagels. I don’t like grits. Their biscuits were too doughy. The bagels and fruit were okay.

Overall, the room was comfortable, but I would not have considered it to be luxury accommodations. The wait staff were friendly and helpful. The front desk personnel gave tips about area restaurants and fun things to do. I can understand the room rate for the area, but next time for a more romantic experience, I might try a bed and breakfast for about the same price. I would recommend Brookstone Lodge for families visiting Asheville.

Sullivan's Steakhouse - Raleigh NC

When I went to Sullivan's steakhouse, I was very surprised how delicious that meal was. I expected it to be good because it looked as if it was a four-star restaurant I didn't check my meal to be awesome!
The service is what I expected. The wait staff had great energy and they were very attentive. They were always coming around asking if had everything we needed. He wanted to know we liked the martini (I think it is called a knock out). It some sort of fruit macerated in vodka for about two weeks. 

   

The appetizer the crabcake that was delicious. There was very little filler of breading, just giant pieces of lump crab.
For my main course, I had lamb chops. These were the best lamb chops I've ever had - seared just like I like them, medium rare and not over cooked. I chose the Cabernet goat cheese butter. Truthfully, the flavored butter was over kill because the flavor of the lamb chops was superb. The grilled chops were lightly seasoned with salt and pepper. I also ordered the sweet potato casserole for my side. Tasty mounds of sweet potatoes were topped with pecans, brown sugar, and butter. There were enough sweet potatoes for 2 people.

If you are in Raleigh and want some seriously delicious food, make a reservation at Sullivan’s Steakhouse. 

414 Glenwood Avenue Suite 103 Raleigh, NC 27603

I do not usually give free recommendations like this but this was the best meal EVER in a restaurant.

Homework Assignment - Body Ritual part II

Ritual Symbolism

In the male dominated society, this ritual is considered one of the most important to be performed because the resulting consequences can have lasting implications on the future of the female. The females are taught that their main desire should be a secure existence in which she can look after the next generation of tribal members. The female is attempting to make a visual appeal to the mind of the male which will activate the male’s inner sense of duty.

The purpose of the ritual is to create an alternate version on oneself. The costume is crafted in such a way, that it is a sophisticated optical illusion. It is more advantageous for a sussim to complete the binding ceremony early because the older they get, the more intricate and elaborate the costume has to be in order to attract tribal males.

In comparison, the tribal male is only expected to do anything if they approve of the female’s costume. He is not expected to perform any similar rituals. If a tribal male tries to conceal his appearance in rituals similar to the manner of the female, the community will assume that he is trying to attract other males. This is considered deviant social behavior because same sex relationships cannot procreate.

Homework Assignment: Body Ritual part I

Body Ritual Explained

In an effort to understand the culture that contributes to prolongation of the Yensi tribe, an observation study was done of the body ritual performed by females in preparation for mating with the tribal males. This ritual is performed to some extent by all tribal females. However, it is most common among females who have reached at least 16 mother earth revolutions around the sun. These young females are also called sussims. As a female anthropologist, some of the tribal females were open and willing to explain the ritual and importance in their society. The eventual purpose of the ritual is to create parings which will allow for the continuation of their race.

The female begins the body ritual by entering the inner sanctum of the home and arranging the products to be used in the process. She immerses her body in liquids made from animal secretions and rocks. Her skin is tender to the touch, but more permeable to allow for better adhesion of the costume layers. A gelatinous substance is applied to the body until it burns the skin, at which point is removed. Another viscous material is layered to sooth the damage caused by the burns to the skin. Then the female mixes clay, dirt, and other bituminous minerals to spread on the face and neck. After applying hot melted wax and gluing pieces of hair to her face, she inserts colored plastic discs in her eyes, and metal rods through her ears.

Once the facial additions are complete, she begins hide her features by painting her body in exotic, bright iron oxide pigments and lacquers, paying extra attention to the body parts that receive the most attention by males. The concealing process even extends to the body natural fragrance. Alcohols and neurotoxins are utilized.

Then the female begins applying the final layers of her costume. Certain contraptions are used to encase her midsection so that she appears to have better procreation abilities. Large round semi-circle jelly-beads are used in the event that her lactating apparatus is not fully formed. After that, garments are used to cover the contraptions and provide a more appealing outer shell exterior. The final touch is to bind her lower extremities in raised, animal skin entrapments that make it difficult to walk or stand.

Once in costume, the sussims gather together in the town’s center and dance coyly to catch the eye of the male they would wish to join. The males show that they approve of the sussim’s costume by bestowing prickly shrubs, stones in various colors, and blocks made of roasted seeds. If the male is particularly impressed with the female’s costume, the male may also request that the female participate in the binding ceremony with him which is conducted by a local holy man.

The intention is for the binding ceremony to fasten the couple together for the rest of their lives. Although the binding is supposed to be permanent, there are occasions when the costumes are so thick it prevents the pair from cleaving together. If that happens, both people usually detach from one another and are obliged to repeat the process with a different tribal member.

Homework Assignment - Body ritual explained

I had to write a paper explaining a body ritual done by Americans but in the form of a paper that would be written by an anthropologist who had no prior knowledge of the customs or rituals of these people. I have divided the paper in three different sections posted to here. I am interested in knowing what you think.

Jack of the Wood - Asheville, NC

Bar Downtown
Service was not that great. They need a sign at the door that says you need to find your own table. There was no  hostess. We wandered around the crowded restaurant until we found wait staff to ask about where to sit and they said "anywhere you can find a spot".
I ordered fish and chips. That was very good. The batter on the fish was light but crispy.
I probably would come back IF a band I knew was playing, but other than that...I would rather try another restaurant. Too many interesting spots in Asheville to just go to the same place over and over ;)

sharing a review from a friend

A friend of mine had an AWFUL experience at an Appleby’s in Spartanburg, SC.

Link to her review http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g54448-d460495-Reviews-Applebee_s-Spartanburg_South_Carolina.html

I have traveled all over the world so I have had my share of bad service, but this Applebee’s is the worst!!! The waitress AAMBER (w/two A's) didn’t come to our table until 20+ minutes of us sitting down. She approached us with an attitude, sighed in frustration when we wanted to change one of the sides on the plate. It was obvious it wasn’t that she was having a bad day bc for the men on the table next to us she was chatty, friendly, refilled their drinks often, etc. She got 3 out of the 4 orders wrong. When we got ready to leave one of the members in our table needed a to-go box. she THREW IT at him as if it was a frisbee! Not only that, but the to-go box was DIRTY WITH RANCH DRESSING!!! When we pointed it out to her she grumbled something about being picky and placed it on the table next to ours, and NEVER CAME BACK WITH ANOTHER…

Mother Earth

Mother earth

Rebellious children have decided they no longer need her

their responsibility has always been to take care of her as stewards of the land

yet they find ways to destroy, to devastate her

her eyes burn as tears of acid rain fall, instead of sweet pure water

heart wrenching abandonment by her little ones

these independent children once appreciated the fruits of her labor

rejoiced at time of harvest, celebrated the delicious nectar of first fruits

nubs remain where, majestic trees once stood in the rainforest

dirt void of nutrients to sustain plant life, her flesh has been ravaged

through thoughtless violation of her body in name of economic growth

exploitation of her nether regions and her defenseless ones

they have left her bare while exploring deep within her bowels

Strip mining her precious resources to fill insatiable commercial desire

Chemically combining natural resources in an unnatural way

Creating poisons that contaminate water sources, pollute the air, and decimate all forms of life

Children are supposed to be a blessing, mother earth is sick with the knowledge

Her little ones, the ones she bore in agony and labor pains from the dust of the earth

Are not a blessing but a blight, infecting her body like a toxic cancer

Few of her children cling to the connection they share while crying in unison with their mother

The rest live day by day, unbeknownst to them, that their ways are self-destructive

Not blessed with the gift of voice, communication is in ancient sign language

Decipher her messages, take heed of natural disasters, and consider the repercussions of damaging behavior

Know that every action has an equal reaction,

Yet they scoff and ridicule, convinced their industrial advances have made them superior and invincible

She is forced to respond to mistreatment in a manner for them to take notice

Then they begin to question what is happening, It is too late

God did not place this malediction on them,

They cursed themselves by refusing to respect their origins and care for their earthly gift

new food product

I love Dole Fruit Crisp. I like the apple cinnamon one. It is like eating apple crisp on demand. Awesome! I don't have to peel apples or make sure I have oatmeal in the house. Just heat up my apples and sprinkle on my crispy granola bits. And at 160 calories a serving, I don't feel guilty eating even if I did do my exercises for the day. Win-win all around.

Firestorm Cafe and Books - Asheville NC

Firestorm Cafe and Books (www.firestormcafe.com )is a coffee and tea shop near the corner of Coxe Ave and Commerce Str in downtown Asheville.

I tried the Spring Jasmine tea and I was not disappointed. It was a fragrant as I expected.

I loved the atmosphere of this little restaurant that was otherwise hidden a block away, down the hill from Patton Ave.

They had a selection of sandwiches, soups, salads, and other goodies that make this worth a stop if you are downtown.

And don’t forget to peruse the numerous books available.

To me, this quirky place has more character than all the Starbucks in Seattle!

Foodie Restaurant Review Greenwood SC - R3

I went to R3 (pronounced R-cubed) for the first time. It was a Friday afternoon.

The atmosphere was very pleasant. I love the décor in the dining area and even the bathroom! Rustic elegance.

I noticed there was only one guy in the kitchen. There was one server working in the dining room.

When looking at the menu, the least expensive item for lunch was $8-9.  That is a little out of my range what I would usually spend on lunch, but today I made an exception.

I ordered pork chops topped with savory applesauce reduction, side item roasted potatoes and green beans ($10). I was hoping that it was going to worth the hyped up price.

While waiting, the server brought us rosemary flatbread. It was very addictively delicious. The texture was little flakey and buttery. It reminded me of a savory pie crust but thicker. Sprinkled on top was just enough salt to make me want more.

We waited about 40 minutes for our food (which is not a good thing for lunch). Everyone at my table was beginning to look at the time and ask the server if he knew how much longer it would be. We were hungry and getting anxious. We did have to go back to work. The server told us that our meals were freshly cooked and that takes more time. Uh-huh. But still. Time is of the essence.

Our food comes. Mmmmmm. I was at lunch but I had what looked like a dinner portion of food. I had 2 thick cut pork chops, side of herbed roasted new potatoes, and green beans that were not over cooked. The pork chop was well seasoned and moist.

I would recommend R3 for dinner because the food is delicious.

BUT not for lunch unless you have plenty of time.

hotel review- Emory Inn - Atlanta GA

Emory Inn

Atlanta, Georgia on Feb 19, 2011 to Feb 20, 2011

Amenities: Complimentary Breakfast, Fitness Center, Pool(s), Restaurant(s), Business Center, Laundry Facilities, Golf Nearby, Tennis Nearby

This hotel was nice enough for the price. It looked like a well kept Days Inn. The bathroom was very small.

The bed sheets and carpet seemed older but clean. I did not get to use any of the amenities, so I cannot comment on those.

If all I needed was a room for the night in Atlanta, I would stay here.

Poem: When Peace Comes

Read this poem at the Peace Conference International Dinner Friday March 18, 2011

 

When Peace Comes

 

In the darkness, gloom reigns supreme

loyal subjects corruption, hatred, chaos

lurk during the night like insidious monsters

whose aspiration is to disrupt tranquility

leaving the human race chained together, enslaved in misery

 

a dire situation, a bleak reality

but all is not lost

 

the human race is living in anticipation of a dawn of a new day

conquering gloom’s darkness with brilliant light

rays of sunshine reveal serenity and peace

reaching every corner of the earth

war and hate mongers dissipate into oblivion

racial harmony blooms releasing its fragrant odor like gardenias in Springtime

optimism permeates the mind and unlocks the invisible bond of servitude

 

only then can humanity experience

real happiness, genuine joy, and lasting peace

 

Quick Review

Backstage Deli – Luxor, Las Vegas

If you are staying at the Luxor and you have not found the food court on the second floor, you might think that your dining experience is limited to Backstage Deli and Starbucks. That was my experience on my last Vegas trip. Since I was hungry and did not want to leave the hotel to look for food, I gave Backstage Deli a try. The turkey burger I ordered tasted as if they recently thawed it out and did not put any seasoning on the meat. The fries were a redeeming factor of the plate. On the other hand, the chicken salad sandwich I bought for my Nana was okay because it had good flavor. The only drawback was the meat’s texture. It suggested that it was processed or pressed meat instead of whole chunks.

The meal was pricey, costing close to $20. I wish I had explored the hotel better to find the food court. I could have ate Quiznos or Nathan’s instead.

The Look

The look in their eyes tells me what they are thinking

they want to ogle without my notice

they think that I am stupid and do not recognize the glint in sly hooded eyes

Years of living with big breasts, curvy hips, round bottom and thick thighs

some would say my petite stature is genetically blessed

since my mother grandmother and great-grandmother all had similar attributes

In the present moment, those traits transmitted from generation to generation

seem to be more of an annoyance than a benediction

I have seen the same expression over a million times before

even when I thought I was disguising my figure in oversized clothes

They see me walking with a purpose

and deliberately slow their own pace

hoping that I am impatient enough to hurry pass them

so they can take a leisurely look

and begin to fantasize what they would hope do to all of this

I quicken my own speed, not wanting to waste time

grown immune to unwanted attention

They are not the first to cast a wanton glimpse and they won't be the last

I grit my teeth and force myself to endure the ensuing leers and smirky grins

"Go ahead and pass, since you seem to be in a hurry"

Their saccharine sweet tone is supposed to put me at ease,

If I am to believe they are gentlemen interested in ladies going first

as if I don't know the real reason they want me to proceed ahead

They part like the red sea, eagerly anticipating

to peruse every aspect of my body

but the joke is on them

my long black sweater conceals my curvaceous figure

Haiku - Love Texting

His nimble fingers

Type sweet words during the night

Received in her dreams

 

Unreciprocated love

Each day seems like another eternity

Surprised I have survived

Exhausted from trying to maintain some semblance of calm

Internally, uncertainty has me bound and wound

He does not know how unyielding his grip

around my precious heart

 

unreciprocated love is sorrow

but there is no benefit in crying, so eyes remain dry

unreciprocated love is pain which has fatigued my spirit,

leaving me a shell of who I used to be

all the while, reminding myself that this shall pass,

but wanting to know when.

 

Movies I have seen recently

500 days of Summer

The best thing about this movie was the soundtrack. The storyline is about a boy and girl who date but only the boy is love. She dumps him and he broods, wondering what went wrong because they seemed so happy. I was annoyed by the girl’s lack of empathy for what the boy was feeling. Since she did not feel the same way, she discounted his feelings. I liked her less because of that. This is not a feel good movie. This is probably more of a I-just-broke-up-and-need-to-mope type of movie.

 

Friends with Money

There seemed that there was no real point to this movie. Jennifer Anniston’s character is friends with people who are a lot more successful/wealthier than she. At one point one of the friends discusses with her husband if they should hire Anniston’s character to be their maid to help her out with clients. For rich people, they were a little down to earth. And Anniston’s character did not spend the whole time trying to bum off of her rich friends. That being said, she still has her major issues with life. I am happy that it all works out for her in the end.

sadness strikes again

Last night I received awful news that the father of one of my close friends died. I still feel sick in the pit of stomach and I can only attribute it to my overwhelming sadness. It seems like so many people I know are dying. I could not sleep last night, so I channel that emotion into a poem. The therapy worked and I was able to get to sleep. I am still a little teary eyed today, but at least I can talk without breaking down into tears.

 

Appreciate Time

 

Caught up in the day to day routine

life is so busy, so frenetic

there is no time,

no time to visit friends

no time to enjoy the Saturday afternoon

while sitting on their porch in a rocking chair

drinking a cup of tea or lemonade

but then tragedy strikes, and they are gone

death has dealt a blow to their family, their friends, and me

I am left with only vague memories and

regrets of time which could have been spent more wisely

I should have…

if only I had made the time

I feel nothing but sorrow and a dull ache

a result of the knowledge

I have deprived myself of experiences with friends

because I was too busy to slow down

too busy to take the time to appreciate life

 

written in memory of W. Hill & J. Moran

 

best potato chips

There is something about Schlotzsky’s jalapeno chips that makes them so very addictive to me. They are thin, but not too thin. They are not overly greasy. The seasoning is a perfect combination of salty and spicy that makes me crave the whole bag. My guilty pleasure. The only potato chips that I can eat the whole bag and still want more.

 

late night ramblings

I came the realization that America is really a nation of bullies. From the formation of this country, settlers “discovered” a new land and proceeded to kill/rape/conquer the natives and claim the land as their own. Then they enslaved other national groups and use the free labor to build their wealth and power.

Over the years, things have not improved. Although there is better technology, the same aggressive attitude remains. Most people cannot be bothered with facts or common sense, but they are content to be spoon fed propaganda fed to them through media outlets that promote division, hate, and violence. To hear them tell it, God only loves America. The texts that say “God is Love” and that “God is not partial” mean nothing to them. No. God wants them to convert the world or die trying. Wait, they would rather send someone else’s sons and daughters to do that. But it is for a good cause, so it is supposedly worth it. War-loving Americans, with their bullish attitude, are trying to influence the world. But then there is more money to be made in war than peace.

In the end that is what America is really all about – MONEY

It is so sad for everyone involved.

Good Cuban Food in ATL

When I am in Atlanta and I want good Cuban food, I go to Papis (216 Ponce de Leon). They have daily specials that include a choice of meat, white or yellow rice, beans, fried ripe plantains (platanos maduros), and salad for less than $10.

When you walk in, you hear Spanish music playing throughout the restaurant and the place is full of people eating and talking loudly. It’s the LATIN way. The place is decorated with picture of Cuban life. The atmosphere might lead you believe that  you stepped into a restaurant in Havana. You seat yourself and wait for someone to give you a menu. If I based this location on the service alone, I would probably not go. Some of the wait staff are not always as friendly as they could be. They are cordial enough, but I cannot if tell if they are pleased to have my business or annoyed that they have another table to wait on. Fortunately for them, the food is awesome!

My last visit I had jerk chicken and my friend has ropa vieja (cut of thinly sliced beef with onions). The food was full of flavor – very delicious!

We had so much food that we did not order dessert. But they have tres leches and flan. One day I will go just for dessert just for that.

 

Reflections of a Star

Night illuminated by a full moon

Stars shine brightly, big and small

Twinkling, moving as if they were participating

in a well choreographed celestial dance

As I stare upward

lost in the magnitude of the universe

deep in thought

meditating, ruminating, wondering, reflecting

on the particulars of my life

recalling every special event

asking myself what is my purpose

why am I here and

how can I make a difference

walking along as the moon lights my path,

however miniscule I realize each star plays a part in the cosmos

for I am like the small, shining star

Participating in this thing called life

Recognizing I am important

to complete a masterpiece

with seemingly insignificant ways

I make a difference

By spreading positivity, joy, and happiness

 

Visit Belize City

When you land in Belize at the Phillip Goldson airport, you might feel a wee bit nervous. The small wheels will jostle as the plane touches down on the bumpy, worn asphalt runway. The chances are that the weather will be sunny and you will bask in the Caribbean heat.

What should you expect if you are visiting Belize City?

Belize City has an atmosphere that is quiet and relaxing. For the most part, the people are friendly and welcoming to visitors. Some people might find that locals are very persistent when trying to sell their handmade goods. Just remember that many people in Belize are poor and they depend on tourist dollars to support themselves. If a person seems to be interested in buying something, a Belizean will try to make a sale.

The downtown area of Belize City is small enough that a person could walk around to most of the stores. Although tourist may walk around during the day, it is not advisable to walk about the city at night.

One store that is very popular is Brody’s. It is similar to Wal-Mart in the sense that they sell a lot of different items. They sell foodstuffs, liquor, house wares, cosmetics, personal care items, souvenirs, and have a pharmacy. It is one stop shopping and the prices are competitive to many tourist shops.

If you want to eat like the locals, a visit to a local restaurant called Ditz is in order. Ditz has been serving locals for years. An example of the items on their menu includes tacos and empanadas. They also sell a lot of different desserts. Two popular treats are coconut tarts and caramel cake.

There are a few nice hotels in Belize. Baltimore Best Western and The Princess Hotel and Casino are two of the most popular. Baltimore Best Western is situated about 10 minutes from downtown. The Princess Hotel and Casino is on the waterfront. Both have restaurants and bars. The food at the Baltimore Best Western is less expensive but not lower quality. Of the two, Baltimore Best Western is a quieter hotel. The Princess Hotel and Casino is busier because of the Casino. A lot of locals also go to the Princess.

If you are looking for an adventure, Belize City is a great place to visit.

 

Innocence Lost

Like one would spit out chewing gum that has lost its flavor

She was unceremoniously cast aside

She cannot understand the cruel, evil game where she was an unknowing participant

A sinister plot to steal her most valued asset by

Tricking her into giving it to him willingly

He must be laughing at her now

Pleased she did not detect his lies,

So amused with her naivety.

All that is left is her vitriolic, acerbic feelings of bitterness.

Damn him to hell.

Concise Movie Reviews

Couples Retreat – had its funny parts but was not as funny overall as expected. The yoga guy made for some interesting scenes.

The Other Guys – had its funny parts but was not as funny overall as expected. And I was a little confused as to the point of the movie.

Salt – was action packed and although I do not like Angelina Jolie (for reasons that will not be explained here) I think she did a good job with this character. Some of her action moves stretch believability but so does some of the stuff that James Bond does.

Valentine’s Day – had its corny parts but still a cute date movie.

Vampires Suck – A complete WASTE of time and money. I would suggest you do your laundry by hand than watch this movie. Totally disgusted at how NOT FUNNY this movie was. Ughhhhh.

Haiku - Sadness

Sorrow in her heart

Finding an outlet through tears

Her feelings were crushed

Haiku - Soul Mates

Even in silence

Your thoughts scream loudly to me

Unbreakable bond

Review Simply Massage Greenville

Make sure you ask for PATTY!!!!

 

I chose to go to Simply Massage because I received a special deal certificate on an hour long massage. Before booking my massage, I did not know they were located next to Whole Foods on Woodruff Road.

I did not know what to expect, so I checked out their website. It was suggested that first time client arrive 10 – 15 minutes earlier than scheduled appointment. When I arrived, I liked the warm, inviting environment. The music playing was soft and relaxing.

The receptionist greeted me as soon as I walked in the door. She asked me to complete a questionnaire. They wanted general information about health problems. When I completed that, the receptionist told me that my massage therapist would be available shortly because she was finishing another appointment. While I waited, she also asked if I wanted something to drink. They had hot/cold water available. There were different varieties of tea along with sweeteners honey, sugar, and Splenda.

While I was drinking my tea, my massage therapist named Patty, approached me to lead me into one of the massage rooms. She asked me what I wanted to achieve from getting the massage and I told her that I wanted to relax. I said that I like deep tissue massages because I have tense muscles in my shoulders.

Once she started, I could feel myself drifting off to sleep. Between the ambient music and kneading of my muscles, I could not fight the feeling any longer. Then Patty woke me up and said that she was leaving the room so that I could get dressed. When I got up, I could not believe how relaxed I felt. All the tension that I previously felt was gone.

 

Rathbun in Atlanta

I went to Rathbun because I saw they were featured on a Food Network show.

I LOVED the sweet potato donuts and the eggplant fries.

I LIKED the Australian lamb chops.

I was not too happy about the service from the hostess or their disorganized reservation system.

I would probably go again, but sit at the bar and order those awesome eggplant fries. Yum!

New cake shop in Greenwood South Carolina

The other day, I went to the newest cake shop in Greenwood. It is called Cake Decor.

I bought the key lime cupcake and sampled their pound cake. I really liked both items. On the scale of what is good in Greenwood, I think it is the best that I have tasted so far. The cupcake was moist and not overly sweet. I could taste lime in the cake. The lime color of the cupcake was a treat for my eyes too. The buttercream frosting was smooth but not grainy. The flavor of the key lime was balanced with the sweetness so that the frosting was not too tart or too sweet. The pound cake tasted like it was homemade. There was rich, buttery goodness about it without being too greasy.

I thought that the cupcakes could have had more frosting to cover to the edge of the cupcake, but that is all the criticism that I have.

Overall, they are selling a very tasty, scrumptious product and I hope that they do well because Greenwood needs a decent dessert shop.

See what they have for yourself at www.cakedecoronline.com

Maybe they will be thankfully for this free advertising and gift me a couple of cupcakes --- hint hint ---- Cake Decor. I would be willing to be the official cake tester and reviewer.

Intl Convention 2009 Mexico City

I went to the International Convention in Mexico City. It was beyond awesome. I had so much fun and met so many new people.

Glad I got to go. Hope to go again. Click here to see pictures

Rajn Rooster review

There is a new restaurant in Greenwood called Rajn Rooster.

They sell wings, boneless chicken, and fries. I usually go to Zaxby’s but wanted to try something different. Still wanted chicken, but wanted a different flavor.

 

I was a bit surprised at the prices of the chicken platters. I admit I was comparing to Zaxby’s. I finally decided to get the Pullet basket. Pullets are a little bit bigger than chicken nuggets, but not as big as chicken strips. They are fried pieces of chicken tossed in choice of sauce. I choose the honey hot sauce. The basket with chicken and fries cost a whopping $9.24! That was $8.50 plus tax

 

The chicken was overcooked so it was very chewy. The fries were good though. They did not have any special seasoning, but you could tell that the fries were cooked to order. The basket’s redeeming feature was the honey hot sauce. It was very tasty. It was slightly sweet with a little bit of tangy heat at the same time.

 

I talked to the brother of the owner of the restaurant and told him about my chicken being overcooked. A couple of my friends said that their food was over cooked too. We told him to pass the message to reduce the heat a little bit on the fryer so that the chicken can tastes as good on the inside as it does on the outside.

 

I am looking forward to a return visit to Rajn Rooster, although I need to find cheaper items on the menu or find some coupons!

 

http://rajnrooster.com/

 

Reflecting

I have been M.I.A for a few months. Between working and service and everything else...I have not had time to drop a few lines to let everyone know what is going on in my world.

1. I got my info back about the Intl convention. It is official and confirmed. I just have to make my final payment. I am going to Mexico. Happy about that. Convention is in December which means I got to curb my enthusiam until then. Otherwise I will be so tired from being so excited for so long.

2. I was in a wedding the end of May. All the bridesmaid danced a special dance at the reception (a little number from Bollywood favorite Kuch Kuch Hota Hai). We had saris and eveything. The place was rocking with the thunderous applause when we finished. We had a good time doing that. And my friend loved it.

3. And on a sad note, a brother I know died of cancer. The cancer was found end of May and he died last week. There was a time when no one I knew was sick. But now it seems so many people are getting sick and losing the fight. Makes us all long for the paradise.

Greenwood SC does not want to support local charities

So I was reading online local news and this stuck out- Greenwood county does not want donate to charity, but they will spend thousands on the city’s image.

 

After a month of deliberating on a Red Cross request, Greenwood City Council was asked to consider the issue once again in the unfinished business portion of Monday’s regularly scheduled meeting. City Council voted 5-1 in favor of donating $1,000 to Greenwood County’s Red Cross to help recoup some of their depleted budget from local disasters. Councilman Johnny Williams was the one member who opposed the donation.

 

Williams had been adamant in his refusal of a donation for Greenwood County’s Red Cross at last month’s meeting. His strong feelings were expressed at last month’s City Council meeting, when he stated the City of Greenwood could not afford to donate $5,000 to the Red Cross.

 

At Monday’s meeting this figure was brought back to the table, but Councilwoman Linda Edwards suggested the council lower the amount to $1,000. Edwards stated to council members if they couldn’t give $5,000, they could give $1,000 to make sure the Red Cross got something. A motion was made by Edwards to give a $1,000 donation to the Red Cross, and seconded by Councilwoman Betty Boles. The motion carried 5-1, with one council member’s abstention.

 

........................................................blah, blah.............................................. .......
................... The council also voted unanimously in favor of using up to $10,000 on professional photography for upcoming city events in October, and other city sponsored events through the hospitality tax. Greenwood has been working with a group of national and international photographers to showcase the city and talent within our community.

 

 

Another priest scandal

So on the news there is a story about some priest in Miami that was caught on camera in the embrace of some woman.

People are all up in arms about it. But in light of all the current priest scandals with little girls and boys, shouldn't people be happy that at least he was caught with an above age, consenting woman?

Yea it is not morally right, but I think you understand where I am coming from.

Read the story here:  

http://news.aol.com/article/priest-scandal/468553?icid=main|hp-laptop|dl1|link2|http%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.com%2Farticle%2Fpriest-scandal%2F468553

Free chicken

Did everyone get their coupon for free grilled chicken meal from KFC?

I went to the website unthinkfc.com to print my coupon. I was ready to print 4 as I read would be allowed in the small print. I installed the special software, made sure my computer was set up correctly, and...NOTHING. Not exactly nothing. I got a message that stated that I already printed limit for the coupon for this promotion. 

Ummmmm. **scratching my head**

I think I would know if that had happened. I am the only one that uses this computer. And this was the first time I turned it on. 

There was a prompt to report any problems printing the coupon. I guess they knew that they were getting ready to jip people. They are probably hoping no one notices it to complain. They do not know to what lengths I will go to get a free meal. I clicked the link and entered my information and told them what was going on. I do not know what they are going to do about it. I hope that since Oprah's name is on it, she addresses the fact that so many people had problems with it. Maybe I will receive a couponvia snail mail . 

And maybe I am just hating, but those people who printed out the coupon did not all have to go to KFC to redeem it today. The coupon expires May 19th! 

Oh well, maybe I will get to taste the grilled chicken one day...

Bar and Grill Restaurants part II

In Part II of my post about bar and grill restaurants, I thought I would share how I feel about a few more restaurants in my neighborhood.

Outback is probably my favorite out of all of the bar and grill restaurants. I love their pork chops. Yummmmmmmmy. They are seasoned so well and then grilled to perfection. They also have hot wings which are fried chicken drummettes in spicy flour. These are served with blue cheese dressing which has big chucks of blue cheese in it. For my side item, I like the hot sweet potato with cinnamon sugar and butter. That is like a desert in itself. For the salad, I like a departure from the normal boring iceberg lettuce and tomato wedges. They have a blue cheese pecan salad that is served with a vinaigrette that complements all the salad's flavors. The only word for it is "AWESOME". It is a little expensive to eat here and that is probably why I spend most of my time fantasizing about the food instead of actually eating it. To order pork chop (half portion) sweet potato (as a side) and blue cheese salad will cost $15. I get take out so that I do not have to leave a tip. I think that spending that close to $20 on one meal for one person is a bit much (especially since we are in a recession).

Fatz Café has calabash chicken (their version of chicken strips) and a great cobb salad. I do not have a lot to say about Fatz because I have not been there in a while. The reason is this. I love bread and they are the only restaurant that consistently served bread that is very greasy. They have these little poppy seed rolls that are apparently deep fried. It is not that I am against deep frying anything (I love it) but I think the people at the Fatz in my neighborhood do not understand when they are supposed to take the rolls out of the fryer. When the bread soaks up that much grease, it goes from yummy to yucky quicker than a Lamborghini at a drag race.

Appleby's used to be the place for me to go every weekend for a great salad. I suppose that new management of the restaurant chain decided that they needed to update Appleby's image and try a barrage of different ideas. That resulted in new menus that tossed out all that used to work and added food items that were blasé. For example, they introduced pasta bowls. Ummmm, no. Why pay $10 for a bowl spaghetti with teriyaki sauce when the local Chinese restaurant does it 10 times better? The good thing for me is that they did not lose the blackened chicken salad. It is a salad with tomatoes, boiled egg, cheese, and grilled chicken. The bad thing is that every time I go to Appleby's I have to search the updated menu to find the salad before I can order. I do not like the garlic bread that serve with the salad. They used to give plain bread and that was fine with me. But now...I suppose that is a plate enhancement. And as for the riblets, they still serve those but I do not think they are a good as they used to be. Once I did try the spinach-shrimp salad they have on the menu. The garlic from the salad stayed on my breath through numerous peppermints and a tooth brushing. I like to enjoy my food but I do not want it to stay with me for so long after I eat.

Milk Screen- home alcohol-in-breastmilk test

For the mom who cares enough to breastfeed but not enough 2 stop drinking alcohol.
Or maybe this is used by Health Services before they take away the alcoholic mother's baby.

What I like to eat: Bar and Grill restaurants

I was hungry and thinking about what I like at the different restaurants in town.

Ruby Tuesdays

They have an awesome salad bar. Iceberg, romaine, and baby greens are the lettuce options. Topping include tomatoes, boiled egg piece, ham, shredded cheddar cheese, shredded parmesan cheese, blue cheese, shredded beets, carrots, raisins, and dried cranberries. There are a lot more items on the bar, but I cannot think of all of them right now. My favorite thing to order is the turkey mini combo. It comes with two turkey mini burgers, baked potato (or fries), and salad bar. I usually fill up on the salad bar and take the burgers home for another meal.

Chilis

Many people say they like the baby back ribs. But I order the honey-chipotle chicken crispers plate. It comes with fries (or loaded mashed potatoes) and corn on the cob. I wish they served baked potatoes (less calories than current options).

O’Charleys

I love the rolls, especially when they are hot out the oven. When served with a side of loaded baked potato soup, it is a yummy appetizer for lunch. This is not the most figure friendly lunch because of all the carbs involved, but is alright every once in a while. I usually order chicken tenders tossed in chipotle sauce or the club sandwich.

Upcoming post: Outback, Fatz café, Appleby’s

2009 Spring storm

There was a tornado on Friday night.  There was a louding wooooooo-ing sound and then the power went out. The rain was pouring as if the sky was going to fall. The thunderous claps sounded as if someone was throwing furniture from the roof onto a hardwood floor. 

The next day, the sun was shining brightly as the bad weather had passed. But the aftermath was evident. 

Trees were broken like toothpicks and power lines curled up like dental floss. 

Awesome display of nature's power.

My new fave female singers

I love all different types of music. I listen to different online radio
stations channels all the time. But, for me to add singers to my IPOD I
have to really love the artist. I bought all the songs off of Amazon.com
and these latest acquisitions reflect how I have been feeling these
days.
These female singers all have different, not too depressing, sounding
voices. The music is some what up-tempo, bit not too fast. The genres
range from electronica to trip-hop. Nothing sounds like candy pop or
heavy metal or R&B or country. If you like listening to the music that
you hear on the car radio, you probably will not these songs. Or you
might feel like I did when I first hear them. They invoked such emotion
that I felt like I identified with the songs immediately.

Mirah - Generosity
Laura Gibson - Spirited
The Blow - True Affection (this is a group but I make the exception
because the lead singer is a girl)
Sia - Breathe Me

Countries I would like to visit--- check

I found a list of places I said that I would like to go on vacation. I
made this list like 5 years ago. I am happy to say that I have almost
been to all my vacation destinations. Yea! I guess I need to think of
some places to visit.

Mexico Cozumel - Been there several times, saw the ruins, laid out on
the beach, and did my part for the tequila industry. Wooo Hooo.

Dominican Republic Santo Domingo - Planning to go this year. I am so
VERY excited

Cayman Islands Grand Cayman - Been there, was not impressed. The people
acted like I was doing them a favor by visiting. And the USD is weak
when compared to GC money. In the stores, I was constantly converting
prices and saying to myself why it was not worth buying. On the plus
side, I did visit Hell, Grand Cayman, the turtle farm, and the Tortuga
Rum Factory. Pineapple and Mango rum are awesome.

Belize Ambergris Caye - Need to go but every trip to Belize seems to
stop in Belize City. One of these days, I want to do the tourist trip to
Belize.

Virgin Islands St. Thomas - I heard that USVI are nice and St Thomas has
good beaches.

Bahamas Nassau - Been there lots of times and done all the tourist
stuff: The Atlantis, Queen Anne staircase, laid out on the beach, and
toured the island. If I get to go again, I would like to go to the
botanical gardens.

Ten qualities a good friend should have

I was in a reflective mood.

We are for the most part are very social beings. This means that we want
and need friends. Being a friend takes work and a lot of effort. A good
friend will be there for you to celebrate the good times and cry with
you during the troublesome times. I developed my list of 10 qualities I
think a good friend should have. These days, it is harder and harder to
find those rare people who truly possess all the qualities listed below.

1. Loyalty
2. Empathy
3. Honesty
4. Self-control
5. Patience
6. Thoughtfulness
7. Courage
8. Good listener
9. Selflessness
10. Humility

When you find some one like that, do whatever it takes to cultivate a
lasting friendship. Let me know what your top 10 qualities are or leave
comment on my list.

Become a coupon savvy shopper

We all have to look for ways to save money. Here are my 3 tips to help
you become a savvy coupon shopper.
And the tips do work. I save $40 yesterday at Bi-lo supermarket using my
coupons with store sales. Wooo Hooooo!

1. Check the sales papers and circle the items which you have the
coupons. Attach the coupons to the sales paper so that you do not have
to search for the coupon at the store. (You can also print coupons from
coupons.com). When you go to the store, you do not have to waste time
looking for the coupon.

2. When there are BOGOF (buy one get one free) items, check to see if
you have 2 coupons for those items you can use for those items. The
store scanner notes that 2 items were scanned and therefore the 2
coupons are valid. So in the end you will get 2 products for less than
the price of 1.

3. Check clearance products aisles and see if you have any coupons for
those products. This only works if the product does not have the
product's original bar code marked out.

BEWARE, saving money is addictive. You might get to the point where you
do not want to pay full price for anything!

Dumb questions at work

A lady asked me, "Why do you keep calling products from Mexico imports?"
I said, "Because Mexico is another country. Import products come from another country into the US."
Then she said, "Mexico is not considered another country."
At that point, I stopped the conversation because I did not want to risk an aneurysm.

Comments on news stories of today 4/2/09

http://www.newser.com/story/55009/ex-law-order-star-leave-bristol-alone.html
I am not a political person, but I even I cannot believe that she said that Repubs have class and do not judge other people. Has she watched any news on Fox? The majority of their programming is based on judging those who do not believe like they do.
I do not really think that people care so much about Bristol Palin. Everyone knew that guy was not going to marry her from the beginning. That was something they said in hopes of seeming like they had high moral standards (even though abstinence would have been the real high moral way to go).
It seems to me that Repubs think everyone is buying whatever they are selling. When teen pregnancy happens to a Repub family, then everyone is supposed to praise the girl. If teen pregnancy happens to anyone else, well... the loose morals of the parents are to blame since they raised a tramp.

http://www.newser.com/story/55035/stressed-americans-still-spending-less-poll.html
Why is this news? If a person is out of work with bills to pay, who thinks they will be heading down to the mall to buy more clothes they cannot afford? I have been very disappointed in the mall offerings. Lots of overpriced ugly clothes. No good sales or clearance prices. I have a job and wanted to spend some money in the mall. But after seeing what was there, I thought that I might better dust off the sewing machine and buy a few patterns!

http://www.newser.com/story/55043/hollywood-trims-star-deals.html
Hollywood stars making millions per movie do not have my sympathy when I have to work hard EVERY DAY to pay my bills. It is about time that movie stars are paid according to performance. And maybe this will help screen writers to write better scripts too. There are too many movies that are coming out lately that have dismal box office reviews. Why? Simply put, they are crap.
I have been helped to determine what movies are worth my time and what would be a waste by searching for the movie spoiler. Once I read what happens in the movie (which takes 5-10 minutes), I decide if it is worth $8 and 2 hours of my time. For the most part, the movies fail my criteria. And some of the other movies I am willing to spend the time but not the money. I will put those movies on my list to rent.

http://www.newser.com/story/55093/stimulus-deadline-looms-for-skeptical-sc-gov-sanford.html
All I have to say about this is "Why is Sanford being such a mule?" Thousands of teachers and other state workers will lose their jobs if the state does not receive the stimulus money. Why is this even an issue?
He should be saying, "Thanks. Where do I sign?"
I guess that is a politician for you. He is trying to do what is best for himself so that he can further his own career.

http://www.newser.com/story/55087/10-recession-expenditures-to-shut-up-about.html
This article is telling rich people how not to gloat about being rich. I wonder if this will carry over into the television. So many realities shows are based on lavish life styles of rich people. For example, "Platinum Weddings" is all about extravagant weddings where no expense is spared. The flower budgets are $50k, wedding dresses are $10k, and wedding cakes are $5k. What is a bride to do?
And MTV "Sweet 16" and "Quincenera" programs are all about brats getting their every wish for their birthday part. Again, the shows are all about sparing no expense. Whatever the brat wants, no matter the cost, they will get. Will MTV decide that they do not want to flaunt that in these economic times?
Who knows, MTV might have to start playing music videos again. **GASP**

http://www.newser.com/story/55114/surfing-on-company-time-boosts-productivity.html
For all those companies who do not want their employees surfing the net...HA! I need a little internet time to prepare me to be more productive. Bet they did not see that one coming.

ARROGANCE is so Annoying!!!!

In these hard economic times, you would think that people who have jobs
would be appreciative of that fact. Why is it that people are still as
overconfident as ever? Some people with jobs are acting as if they are
irreplaceable. They have a position and NO ONE ELSE could do what they
do.
NEWS FLASH!!!!! That is not the case.
I had the most annoying exchange with a guy who is an engineer and acts
as if he is only at work to do 1 thing. If anything else needs to be
done, oh well. Never mind the fact that it is something that he is
responsible for doing. He is "paid too much" to do what he deems to be
menial tasks. He actually said that. Just to add context to the
situation, I do not report to this man. I am not in his department.
There was a barrage of emotions rushing through me because I could not
believe that he was trying to absolve himself of a responsibility by
making statements as if I was the culpable party. I felt like going off
on him, but I knew that would do nothing to help the situation. I need
my job. I had to step back and analyze the situation. This guy was
unbelievably arrogant by implying that I should do the things that he
did not want to do because he felt that he was above it.
Why was I wasting my time trying to convince him of the value of doing
what he should be doing anyway?
If the task is not done, it is his fault. Not mine. I want things to run
smoothly in the company. I do not want to lose my job because the plant
closed down. I do not have the energy to worry about things out of my
control.
My only hope is that something happens to this guy to take him down a
notch. Soon or later it is bound to happen. People who are so full of
themselves are in for a rude awakening when they are made to realize
that the world does not revolve around them.